DARLINGTON — The Redbirds finished last season 11-11 overall and 8-4 in Southwest Wisconsin Activities League action. 

“I expect us to improve upon last year’s record,” said Darlington coach Brad Solberg. “I would like to think we can be competitive in every game we play this year.”

The team is looking to improve on those numbers, and hopes the collective experience that returns will help in that endeavor.

First-team all-conference senior Taylor Wedig is one of 10 players returning. She averaged 11 points and six rebounds per game last winter. Also back is 6-1 junior Cayla Golackson, who dropped 8/3 each night. Emma Rielly, Greta Volkening, Mila Gilla, Jaylyn Schwartz, Mariah Kendall, Mady Wedig, Jaidyn Evenstad and Brenna Grossen all return as well. Joining the team this winter will be sophomores Zoie Zuberbuhler and Aubrey McCarthy.

“We will have really good team depth this season. A lot of athletic girls that will hopefully create some havoc for opposing teams. Last year we played a lot in the right lane, I’d like to see us be able to play in the left lane this year,” Solberg said.

More than 35 points per game return to the court this year. The biggest loss from last year was graduating Laura Sturtz, an honorable mention all-conference player that hit 36.7% of her shots from 3-point range and averaged 8 points per game.

Maintaining possessions and turning the ball over should help stabilize the offense.

“We really need a couple of kids to step up and take charge of the team on the court. We need one or two players to separate themselves from the pack and be really consistent for us. We also need to cut down on team turnovers from last season,” Solberg said.

Mineral Point is “loaded” according to Solberg, and should be considered a prime contender to win the SWAL. The Pointers reached the state championship last season and return nine players from that long run. Cuba City should be in the mix once again as well. “Cuba City has a good nucleus back, and an impact freshman that will mix in right away,” Solberg said.